Yet another question. Hairy legs - shave or not?

[stroppyknickers]

Ok, dd (9) is a bit cncerned about her very hairy legs. When I mentioned that I shave mine, she was like, ooh can you do that etc. Now, I have no issue with her immacing herself or whatever, but I don't want any snotty comments made at school about her doing this. Do you think she is too young, bearing in mind that she wants to? BTW, no I am not into them growing up too fast/ dressing in heels/ bras etc - this is more a noticeable 'problem' and looking for a solution. Didn't help that my adult friend noticed and made a stupid comment.

[PookiePodgeandTubs]

Could she bleach them 'til she's 12? My dd will be exactly the same.

I had very hairy legs and my mum forbade me to do anything, so I shaved in secret and made them worse. I wish she'd actually said, ok, we'll do something. What's most suitable for a 9 yr old. Too young to start shaving.

See if she'd be happy to bleach the hairs for a few more years before starting to wax.

[MrsSprat]

As the tights season is coming up, I'd avoid personally. Once you start and that...

But if you do, just below the knee and never above to minimise overall hassle would be my course of action.

[stroppyknickers]

That's a good idea. I had only thought of immac/wax/shave. I will run it past her tonight. Thank you.

[stroppyknickers]

No takers for immac? (She won't do tights - too itchy round the bum...)

[Anna8888]

Could you not take her to the beautician for a leg wax for the summer months?

We have friends whose (very dark) daughter had the same problem. The parents refused to let her remove the hair and ended up ruining three summers for their daughter where she was too embarrassed to wear shorts/skirts/a swimsuit.

[meglet]

I had really hairy legs by her age and I think I pinched my mums razor the first time and did them myself. If she isn't sensitive to Immac then I'd use that.

Obviously it means that once she starts she is committed to removing the hair forever though . But from my experience I would have really suffered if I had to put up with all the comments from people at school. I am eternally grateful that my mum let me do them from a young age.

[Romy7]

my dd (8) is extraordinarily hairy (and dark), including on her back lol. in my head i'm waiting for double figures at least, but i don't know how practical that is if people are already winding her up about it. grrr at your friend.

not sure tbh - don't know if trying lightening would be appropriate for young skin etc... i am wondering how long i can hold off for - dd takes part in lots of dance stuff/ shows and is noticeably hairier than the others... we've already had to instigate a deodorant routine!

[stroppyknickers]

Glad she's not alone. Luckily her arms are okay, but I do think I need to do something. I get waxed - think she might not forgive me for the pain factor

[Anna8888]

Waxing is best IMO as the regrowth isn't nearly as unpleasant as shaving/Immac. Or you could get her an epilator.

[stroppyknickers]

Romy - I am training dd to shower every day in preparation for deodorant day. Might get Impulse to encourage her that way. Grr at my friend too. But her daughter wears mascara and heels.

[stroppyknickers]

Might book waxing with a manicure as a reward after!

[PookiePodgeandTubs]

Imaac is so awful. the little hairs cling to your skininstead of coming out of the follicle. By the time they've all washed away, regrwoth is back.

[PookiePodgeandTubs]

Waxing really is good. It's a long haul, but eventually, eventually, eventually, it makes legs less hairy. If she starts at 9 though, she might have bald legs by 30!

[Heated]

Although my dd is much fairer than me, am thinking of starting a leg-hair laser fund for her 18th!

[stroppyknickers]

Ok. Immac out then. Thanks as I have no idea - just thought it might be gentler than shaving. I want to address this, as otherwise she might DIY her legs. Caught her in the bathroom with nail polish remover, red varnish, cotton wool and guilt the other day.

[meglet]

I started waxing at 15 if that helps at all. Nearly 20 years on I have a very high pain threshold .

[kiddiz]

Sorry to hijack a bit but along the same line, what about underarms? My dd (11) has quite hairy underarms. Is it ok to shave them or what would you recommend? She starts high school soon and is very concious about it. Thanks and sorry again to hijack.

[stroppyknickers]

I think I may wax - would probably get an electric shaver for underarms? I massacred my shins wet shaving at secondary school and got mercilessly teased.

[bagofhammers]

I would wax her. shaving is such a hassle and immac is awful. I would rather have a painful wax than shave every few days. I would do it now because she is already aware of it.

[stroppyknickers]

Ok- wax it is. At home or risk disapproving salon types?

[amidaiwish]

i used to always wax but have recently moved to this veet shower

it is the first "cream" that i have ever used which is a)actually effective and b) doesn't stink. You use the rough side of the sponge to scrub the hairs off in the shower.

alternatively i would take her to a salon for waxing (give her a paracetamol first!)

[booge]

If she's old enough to be self conscious about it then she's old enough to remove the hair. I had very dark hairs as a teen and I wish my Mum had encouraged me to wax earlier rather than me pinching her razor and shredding my legs.

[bagofhammers]

unless you are quite good a salon will hurt less.

[stroppyknickers]

ok, done it! got some veet debut, and she is thrilled , showing everyone the results, and stroking her smooth legs. She is trying to encourage her 5 yo brother to use it...